Pickup crashes into convenience store; 1 injured

Firefighters respond to the scene where a white Ford F150 ran through the front door of the Speedy Stop convenience store at the corner of Sam Houston Drive and Evergreen Lane. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene on foot after at least one person was injured.

After fleeing, the driver identified by an arrest report as Michael Wayne Kennedy, 30, of Victoria, called the police to report his truck stolen, said Lt. Jason Cross, with the Victoria Police Department. A witness later identified Kennedy as the driver, and further investigation resulted in Kennedy being arrested on suspicion of felony accident involving injury, including failing to render aid, Cross said.

Witnesses reported seeing Kennedy drive northbound about 3 p.m. on Sam Houston Drive and turn into the store's parking lot. He made no attempt to slow down and drove through the front doors, coming to rest completely inside the store, said Sgt. Lee Lemmons.

A 54-year-old Victoria woman who was inside the store at the time of the wreck was taken to DeTar Hospital Navarro, Lemmons said. Cross said the woman was in stable condition Sunday night with a possible broken leg.

Two employees and another customer inside the store were not hurt, Lemmons said.

One of the employees was trapped inside the store until the injured woman was removed from the scene. Firefighters could be seen helping the employee climb over the truck to exit through broken glass and merchandise.

Meanwhile, crowds formed around the store, and dozens of people perched along the opposite side of the street to watch the truck be towed out of the station.

Kennedy was also arrested on two warrants charging him with driving while license is invalid and failure to appear, Cross said.

Alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the wreck, Cross said.

A building inspector examined the building's structure before a tow truck removed the vehicle.

The store manager said the station would be closed until further notice.